Greek spur thighed tortoise off her food

[Stuieg]

Hi,
Brand new here, first post and thank for such a great forum!
I have had a tortoise for about 38 years, it really has been a super pet. Over the last 2 - 3 weeks "he" has stopped eating. "His" diet was strawberries, tomatoes, dandelions and favorite was banana ! I know this isnt strictly a tortiose diet, but for over 38 years we have seen no problems.

This lack of eating led me down the path of "special" tortiose food, vitamin suppliments etc, all to no avail. I even sprinkled on the vitamin powder onto a banana, but was sussed out and then he refused to eat anything.....

In desperation, I took "him" to a vet who specialises in tortoise'. The vet checked every obvious thing (mouth, eyes, soft shell, tested leg strength, weight etc). Turns out "he" is actually a "She" and is a greek spur thighed tortoise !

Vet gave her a clean bill of health, apart from blood tests to check kidney, liver functions etc

I've read a few other posts about refusal to eat, seems almost commonplace, at somepoint in a tortoise' life.
Should I be worried?
Will it pass ?
Do they really get that moody and stubborn ?
Maybe because "he" has a male name !

She lives outside and has done forever, historically very active, always trying to climb up patio door to get into the house, terrific escape artist, always eat loads, but its all changed over the past 3 weeks.
She comes out of her house, sits on the patio, (head out but down on ground) and goes in at asbout 2pm and thats it....... walks away from ALL fresh food of ANY type.

Any help or advice would be welcomed

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Hello, Stuieg, and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum.
Firstly, the age. How old was she when you got her ? Even tortoises get old eventually.
Secondly, sorry, but as you're aware all that fruit is really bad for a Greek tortoise. OK, no harm done in tiny quantities and it's been 38 years, but it's like smoking (people, not tortoises), you can be fine for years, but it'll catch up with you eventually.
They do seem to get in moods sometimes and have phases of not eating, hopefully she'll start eating again soon, but 3 weeks is quite a while. Also, you say she lives outside so is it possible she's eating the garden plants?
Next, to look at changes, has anything changed ? This year particularly hot or cold for example ?
Finally, if it continues, I would give the tortoise soaks in water with added dandelion juice and carrot or pumpkin baby food so when she drinks she gets some nutrients (though I imagine she's a pretty big girl and this may not be so easy.)

 

[Stuieg]

Thanks for the reply, Tidgys Dad. Age is unknown, She was a present for me whan I was about 4, as mentioned eralier at leasat 38 years old, how do you know when you buy it secondhand !!!! The vet advised baths once a week in tepid water for about 30 mins. Regarding changes, nothing unusual, weather is typically British this year i.e sun, rain, sun rain. Had the hottest day for about 20 years a month or so ago, but it was a one off, and not been anywhere near that hot since. Cant think of any event that triggered this off. I take your point about fruit, and will try to introduce a more natural diet once I get her through this..... I will keep you posted of developments. Thanks

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Thanks for the reply, Tidgys Dad. Age is unknown, She was a present for me whan I was about 4, as mentioned eralier at leasat 38 years old, how do you know when you buy it secondhand !!!! The vet advised baths once a week in tepid water for about 30 mins. Regarding changes, nothing unusual, weather is typically British this year i.e sun, rain, sun rain. Had the hottest day for about 20 years a month or so ago, but it was a one off, and not been anywhere near that hot since. Cant think of any event that triggered this off. I take your point about fruit, and will try to introduce a more natural diet once I get her through this..... I will keep you posted of developments. Thanks

Oh how I miss those British summers.
Not.